Great Expectations: From Lingayat Legacy to 2024 Ask, Can Vijayendra Fill Father Yediyurappa’s Big Boots?

BY Vijayendra, the younger son of BS Yediyurappa, being named as Karnataka BJP president on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras is being described as a golden opportunity for him to lead the saffron party to a win in majority seats in the state in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

As the tenth state president, Vijayendra will be taking over the baton from Dakshin Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who, after being appointed in 2019, had been on an extension for almost a year since his term ended.

The timing of Vijayendra’s appointment is crucial following the humbling defeat the BJP faced in the Karnataka Assembly elections, where, despite being in power with 119 MLAs in a 224-member Assembly, it was reduced to just 65 MLAs.

Vijayendra, 47, has his work cut out. Within a short span of three months before the Lok Sabha elections, he is expected to build the party cadre’s morale, which is at its lowest; try to resolve the growing infighting among leaders; and prepare the party for a big win. As of now, the BJP has 25 seats in its kitty and hopes to retain its hold on them.

He represents the younger line of leadership of the BJP, which the party has been grooming to strengthen its hold in the only southern state where it has a formidable presence.

“The Lok Sabha election is a big challenge, and our goal is to clearly win the maximum seats. At a time when the world is looking at the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka must contribute by winning maximum seats,” he told the media.

Vijayendra’s appointment to the post is also a calculated move as the BJP is looking to undo the damage caused to the Lingayat community when Yediyurappa was forced to step down as CM in 2019. An upset Lingayat community did not wholeheartedly support the BJP, helping the Congress make significant inroads into the BJP’s pockets. Lingayats form nearly 18 to 19% of the state’s voting population.

The message is clear. Through Vijayendra’s appointment, the BJP central leadership wants to convey to the cadre that BSY has not been sidelined, and the party still requires his margadarshan (guidance), just like they relied on him during the Assembly polls.

A sports buff, Vijayendra has seen a lot of tough games on the political pitch, some of which almost knocked him out of the game.

In 2018, he was denied the ticket to contest from Varuna against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Dr Yathindra. BSY made a public announcement of Vijayendra being chosen to stand from that seat. But the BJP high command struck it down, forcing the young leader to back down.

Undeterred, Vijayendra carved a niche for himself by engineering two of BJP’s biggest victories in the Old Mysore region, a pocket that was believed to be impossible for the party as it is considered a JDS and Congress stronghold.

He is often credited to be “just like Yediyurappa”. His closest associates describe him as politically astute with a sharp focus on building the party, even if it means taking risks.

“If you want to see the likeness of Yediyurappa in a younger form, it is Vijayendra. From being the secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha, party vice president, and general secretary, he has a close connection with the youth. He can connect with them at a level many leaders in the BJP fail to do. He is ready to take risks or make sacrifices like a true sipahi (soldier) of the BJP,” said a senior party functionary.

In an earlier interview, Vijayendra referred to himself as an introvert and is greatly influenced by his father’s efforts to empower people, especially the farmers. Having been tagged as a ‘political dynast’, Vijayendra said he and the BJP leadership know how he has worked his way up the ranks.

“Cynics can call me anything. It does not matter. I have travelled across all districts of Karnataka where I interact with all. The people of Karnataka know how much the BJP and my father care for them. My work is dedicated to the people of this state,” Vijayendra had said in the interview while campaigning in Mandya during Karnataka elections.

A cricket aficionado, he captained his college cricket team. Such is his love for the sport that, along with a close group of friends, Vijayendra flew to Mumbai in 2012 to watch Sachin Tendulkar play at the Wankhede stadium for the last time before retirement.

Political legacy in the Yediyurappa family runs from the father to the sons. Considered one of the senior and respected leaders in Karnataka, Yediyurappa has been a four-time chief minister of the state. Vijayendra’s elder brother BY Raghavendra is a two-time MP from Shivamogga. Raghavendra has largely confined his political aspirations to Shivamogga, his hometown, and the seat he represents in the Lok Sabha. He is mainly involved in running the family’s educational institutions in Shivamogga.

The younger sibling, Vijayendra, adopted a different approach. On the advice of his father, he patiently worked through the ranks while showcasing to the central leadership his abilities of being a good strategist. Vijayendra’s organisational capabilities coupled with resourcefulness may give him the edge to re-energise the party at this crucial juncture, say BJP leaders.

Senior BJP leader and former minister R Ashok said Vijayendra’s elevation will have a positive impact on the party. “Though the decision to choose the state party preening was delayed, the final outcome is very good,” he told News18.

“The BJP lost seats even in North Karnataka, which is our stronghold. Now Yediyurappa will be more active, and the combined efforts of all leaders will help BJP achieve the target of winning 28/28 seats in the parliamentary elections,” the leader added.

BJP spokesperson and former MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik calls Vijayendra the right fit for the post of the state BJP chief.

“Having served in the capacities of BJP general secretary and vice president, he has a very good connect with the cadre, especially the younger karyakartas (functionaries). In fact, the very announcement has enthused the cadre and the rank and file from Bidar to Chamrajnagar. He has that kind of acceptance. I have been receiving messages from the cadre saying a new era has begun, which only goes to show his capabilities,” Karnik said.